Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-06-17

sition in writing, did not give direct an
sWer. but intimated that when the list Of
flags returned and their histories were
given to the public letter from President
Cleveland on the subject might also be
made public.
General Drum, during the course OF
further conversation on the subject sold:
''This action is not due toany pressure nor
any suggestion from outside. 1t had been
in contemplation of the Department for
some considerable time. You see, every
now and then we were receiving inquiries
from various States about the flags In
which they were particularly inter-
ested, and requests to have them
returned. These requests generally
came from Northern States, and from time
to time as the requests were made they
were gratifed. At length it occurred to
the department officials that it would be a
good thing to return them all at once. The
law relating to- flags captured from the
enemies of the United States did not apply
to flags taken in the civil war. On April
1s, 1914, after the last war with England,
Congress passen an act providing that The
Secretary of War shall, from time to time,
cause TO be collected and transmitted to
him at the seat of Government all such
flags, standards and coloFs as are taken by
the army from the enemies Of the United
States
''But IL was never intended that flags
taken in internecine strife should be treated
like trophies captured from a foreign
enemy. 1t has never been done. 1t
would serve no good purpose to treasure
up these things and display them to per-
petual affront and insult to men who are
now good, loyal American citizens. The
Union, the object for which the men of
the North fought so well, is now securely
established. 1t is the desire of every
patriot to see the last ray of sectional feel
ing extinguished and Obliterated as soon
as possible; and the Presidents action in
having these flags returned to their origin
al owner is, think, very graceful and
very wise declaration of his sentiment on
the part of the Government"
The Adiutant General states that there
is nothing in the statutes which could be
construed as q bar to the action. The
legal points in the case were carefully con-
sidered before General Dunn submitted his
recommendation, and the President, it Is
said, was fully satisfied, before issuing the
authority to make the return that there
was nothing illegal in the action. The
flags numbered nearly three hundred. All
show signs of the ravages of war, and
many are so riddled that it will be diff
cult to determine to what regiments or
States they belonged"
Considerable excitement was OccasiOned
here to-day by the action of Gen. BOynton,
who at noon proceeded to the City Hall to
carry out the instructions received last
night from Governor Foraker, of Ohio,
ITO institute proceedings to enjOint the
return of the rebel flags which were cap
tured by Ohio troops"
The proposed return OF the flags Is the
all absorbing topic Of discussion i'll public
places.
Represent Hatch, Of Missouri, who
was one of tne Union officers present at
AppOmattOx on the occasion Of the sur
render of Lee to Grant, says he was pres
ent. at the second interview between Cen
erals Grant and Lee, when the conditions
of the surrender were agreed upon,
and General Grant authorized the
Southern forces to retain their
side arms and other accoutre-
ments, and return to their homes in peace.
Those of US who had seen four years Ofwar
buried all animosity and hatred under that
old apple tree at AppolaattOx and Instant
ly became brothers and friends. why"
he continued, "before Gen. Grants order
to supply the defeated army with ratiOns
could be executed, the Union soldiers
threw their knapsaezs and haveTsacks up
on the ground and divided their rations
with their former enemies. A bettOr Illus
tratiOn of the friendly feeling that existed
between the two armies could not have been
given. Now, as Gen. Grant said that the
side arms, aecoUtrements and in some cases
the horses of the COnfederates should be
returned to their respective owners, / do not
see why the old regimental and company
flags should not go back to their original
owners -